I’ve written before about how us voice actors should use social media. And I want to drive this point home again and expand on the idea a little. Why should Voice Actors be on social media? Because It can advance our careers by increasing our visibility to potential buyers. But it gets better: You can now use Twitter, and some other platforms, as a source for quality voice over auditions. That’s right; casting Directors are Tweeting out links to Sides and inviting Voice Actors to reach out directly.
I’ll explain how to get in on this, but first a quick review of which platforms I think you should be on, and how to interact on each one.
Finding gigs on Social Media
Here’s some basic advice for finding gigs on Social Media. Most of the folks on the Production side of the business use Twitter. The people in Production are your customers. There are so many platforms out there to choose from: Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch – the list goes on and on. (No doubt more are being invented each day.) Which one to post on? Some of them? All of them?? (dear God! NOOOO) Here are the basics about each platform’s audience and commonly posted content.
TikTok
One platform I’ve championed is TikTok, because It’s the least ‘selly’ and allows you to show your personality to your potential buyers and fans. It’s a bit juvenile – cue the fart jokes – but If you voice characters for Animation or voice a popular character in a Video Game, this is your playground. It’s audience skews younger and Gamers by the billions are on this platform every day. It will allow you to build a huge fan base. But unlike YouTube, there is no way at this point to monetize it. However, a little bird in the advertising world told me recently that may change. If you have a following – keep feeding the beast! “But Carl, what about TikTok’s competitor Twitch?” Second-comers never win. Remember Bing! ? Whoever dates Bill Gates next is never going to stop hearing about it.
Instagram is a little more grown up and more curated. Most users don’t want to overwhelm their followers with a daily deluge of posts. They tend to post only their best work. If I were to compare; TikTok is the messy and creative workshop and Instagram is the Art Gallery. You try anything and everything on TikTok to see what sticks, and take the best to Instagram.
Facebook? No. Why? aside from the fact that Mark Zuckerberg is an amoral douche who makes his money giving voice to Fascists and Authoritarians, it’s just not a good place for promoting yourself as a Voice Actor. And yeah, yeah I know ‘The Zuck’ owns Instagram too, but what’s a Capitalist to do in a Social Media Oligarchy?
Facebook is useless reason one: Facebook is for old people. It’s become an online family photo album. Most people in media that make the choices about casting are in their 20’s and 30’s. Sure there are Production staff that are older, but the ones who design the campaign’s message and tone are from the largest target demo: 18-35 year olds. I’m talking Writers and Creative Directors. They don’t use Facebook, but they do use Instagram.
But what about VO Groups on Facebook?! Meh. I don’t see much use in it. I would rather do the work instead of talking about it. Besides, the quality of questions and comments in those groups leave me dumbfounded. If these people think they’re going to make it in voice over, they’re delusional. And they’ve probably been sold a ‘starter package’ buy some cynical hack who preys on newbies.
Facebook is useless reason two: If you sell widgets or own a restaurant – any sort of brick and mortar business – a Nail Salon maybe? Then Facebook is great. You can post your special of the week and watch your followers flock to your location. Voice over is different. Voice Actors sell to other business, not the final consumer. If one of those businesses has enough cash flow to afford to hire you for advertising, or training videos, etc. they will go directly to those companies who produce it. Which bring me to…
Twitter is the best outlet for voice actors to not only show the world who they are and what they do. It’s also a fantastic platform for small businesses to make themselves known to other businesses. The key is to use it as a business networking party. Be on your best behavior, contribute positively and be fun to hang out with. Don’t bitch, or pitch. Get it?
Another reason is voice actors can get quality auditions on Twitter. The other day, I scrolled past a Game Designer i hadn’t yet followed. They were asking for voice actors to audition for a new game, so I DM’d them and submitted an audition. Even if I don’t get the job, I started a relationship with a potential new client.